Loose Feet

I've come to realize suddenly, in the last week of being in Korea, how much of a home Seoul has become for me. I am really comfortable living here, and I am really going to miss it. Despite all the phonecalls I've made, and all the times I've sat around steaming over the flack I've taken under certain circumstances in the city, I do really love it here.

I love the barbecue restaurants with the live grills in front of you, and the plastic sheets over the front doors to let the smoke out. I love the people who are loud and crazy but so unafraid to be so. I love to walk through major streets with crowds and crazy bumpers only to get to a tiny apartment at the end of a maze of twisting streets that is warm and homey and full of friends. I love the food. I love that there are always people up doing something. The lights, the sounds -- always there to remind you that life is going on around you, and maybe you should be part of it. I love the kindness, the dependency and yet the celebrity status you get just for speaking English. You can always get lost, but someone always wants to find you.

Don't get me wrong, there are things I hate. Korea is kind of like a bad relationship -- love/hate, it comes in waves, for sure. Right about now, I'm in the romantic, old hubby phase.

It's the first time I've lived somewhere and not been in school. It's the first sort of professional, adult life I've had...and I don't know if I'm really quite ready to leave it yet. I have such an amazing support network here of people of all ages and all mindsets and I love that.

Yesterday I went out for dinner with my business class -- only 4 of the students showed up, all men, interestingly. We had a fantastic time. Talked all about life at home for me, and life here for them. What I would miss (spicy food, Korean bbq, handsome men) and what I wouldn't miss (the subway, the smell of garbage, old men). What I was excited for (diners, thick rye bread, different beer) and what I wasn't excited for (...hard to say...) The Nepalese food was amazing, highly recommended if you're ever in Dongdaemun in Seoul -- a  little placed called Everest tucked away in the corner somewhere. T.S said it was very famous with foreigners, and there were a lot of foreigners there. I was just surprised because it seemed like one of those places that someone would have to introduce you to. Anyway it was delicious. I really love Indian and Neplaese food. We sat and talked for a long time. It was strange at first -- I mean, can you imagine, one white 24 year old girl with 4 older Korean businessmen. But it was great. It felt so nice to talk to them. There was no condescension involved at all. They spoke to me like a friend. And when I told them about my return to Korean in the end of December, they were all very kind and told me I could stay in their respective houses. That's one thing that I think may be a bit different in Western culture. Immediately they all offered their homes to me -- but I don't think that is as common at home..,but maybe I'm just forgetting more and more what life is like at home. I'm not sure. Anyway I will really miss them and will definitely be giving them a phonecall for another dinner when I come back between travelling.

PS. Incase you may not know, I'm going to China from December 8-December 30. Then I will return to Korea for 12 days. I want to celebrate the New Year with my girls, Habiba and Ksan, and to say goodbye one more to some of my closer friends -- yes, including this business class. Then I will leave on January 11. Not too sure where I'm going. I have a oneway ticket to Singapore...and I want to see my brother in Denmark. That's about all I got down for now. Yikes!

Anyway, the more I think about it, the more I become sure that I'll be returning to Korea for another year. I really am happy here, and I'm making money, travelling independently, and enjoying my life...all the while learning a lot about myself and my relationships with people. I'm so sure I'll come back that I'm leaving a suitcase full of stuff with my dear love Habiba.

All this to say that I'm leaving in a week, and yes I'm going travelling....but I'm pretty sad to say goodbye too.